We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nikki Abrego. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nikki below.
Nikki, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
I realized that I loved art and illustrating at a very young age. I was a kid of the 90s and grew up watching anime dubs of Sailor Moon, Pokemon, and Dragonball Z and being completely inspired by it all. I would spend hours in my room with my sketchbooks and whatever art supplies I had nearby drawing my own original characters that I imagined living in these anime worlds. I was fortunate that my family was supportive of my artistic interests and did supply me with art kits and supplies as gifts for Christmas or Birthdays. However, I honestly don’t believe that they thought I would create a business out of my art later in life so I think that took them by surprise!
After I graduated from college, I knew that I wanted to pursue a career in the creative/entertainment industry. Unfortunately I graduated during the Great Recession so jobs were hard to come by and I knew that pursuing an artistic career would be incredibly difficult.
During 2014, I figured that maybe I could take a chance at starting my own little art business. So that’s what I did! I signed up for an Artist Alley table at Wondercon in Anaheim, CA, and have been in the Artist Alley scene selling my fandom-inspired art ever since!
Nikki, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My name is Nikki Abrego and I’m an independent artist for my business, Art of Nikki Abrego. You can find me at various comic and anime conventions across Southern California and Arizona. I have always had an interest in Japanese media such as anime, manga, and videogames and it all serves as inspiration for my artwork. I love drawing characters from my favorite series and fandoms and creating my own spin on these beloved characters in my style.
When I’m selling my art at conventions or through my online store, I have various prints, original pieces, and merch such as keychains, stickers, and much more available. My most popular item I sell are client commissions where I draw requested characters in a truly one-of-a-kind art piece. I primarily use traditional media for my work and specialize in COPIC markers and inks. I have done literally hundreds of client commissions and it brings me so much joy to create custom art that I know will be cherished. I have been selling my artwork for the past 10 years, shipped artwork across the United States (and a few international countries!), and I enjoy it with all my heart.
During the summer of 2020, I was approached by the trading card company, Upper Deck to create officially licensed artist sketch cards for their upcoming MarvelxAnime card set. This was an opportunity that I felt would match my style perfectly so I couldn’t pass it up! I created 40 original one-of-a-kind sketch cards featuring my favorite Marvel characters. Since the release of that card set, I have received many requests to draw Marvel sketch cards for clients and found an unexpected niche clientele for my work.
Although my art business is not my primary source of income as I have a full-time job in the videogame industry, I spend every ounce of my free time creating artwork for my business. When I’m not busy creating new prints and merchandise to sell for my next Artist Alley booth, I’ll be working through my client commission list and putting my full effort into those art pieces. I’m so thankful that I have a fiancé that roots me on and helps me with all my Artist Alley booths as well as a family and friends that are supportive of my artwork and business. And I absolutely wouldn’t be here without all the incredible folks who have purchased my artwork!
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
I absolutely love the joy I see when people enjoy my artwork or when I create a custom piece for a client. When they tell me how much an art piece that I had done meant to them or show me photos of my art hanging up in their homes, it really makes me feel like I am doing what I’m meant to be doing. Being able to bring joy through my art is incredible and there’s honestly no better feeling than that. I honestly appreciate every single person that has been a part of my art journey. Whether they continuously visit me at my art booths over the years, follow me on social media, or purchase a print or commission from me, it means so much to me and gives me the drive to keep creating for myself and others.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
With the advent of Generative AI art and AI programs being created to try to replicate the work of artists and creatives, I would hope that society will take steps to support and protect the work of human artists. Creating art takes so much time, heart, hard work and passion to do. An artist/creative puts so much of themselves into their work that can never be replicated by a program. We give a part of ourselves in our pieces and truly enjoy what we create. I would hope that society will recognize this and see the value that artists and creatives bring to many aspects of our lives and how inspiring artists and creatives are.
Buy an art print or original piece from your favorite artists you follow online or find at a convention. Share the work of your favorite artists with family and friends. Comment and let an artist know that you love their new art piece they posted online. There are so many ways that folks can support artists/creatives that would help them know that they are appreciated for their work and really make their day.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://nikkiabregoart.com/
- Instagram: nikkiabregoart
- Facebook: nikkiabregoart
